Birds in Your Back Yard
Springfield: Illinois State Museum, 1941. First edition. Softcover. Signed and dated in the year of publication on the title page by Eifert. With an ownership signature just below it. Uncommon signed. This is the first book from this important early and mid-century naturalist writer, only published in wraps, and with charming black-and-white illustrations by her. Virginia Eifert went on to write seventeen more volumes on natural and cultural history though she died at only 56, and she is considered on of the most important natural history writers in Illinois history. She got her start writing for the museum that published this volume and went on to write for many national publications like Audubon, Natural History, and Nature Magazine. See this letter for Rachel Carson praising Birds in the Back Yard in 1944 on "The Legacy of Virginia Eifert" website (a printout of that letter is provided); Carson and Eifert became good friends. See also Eifert's complete bibliography. A very good copy in wraps with a little wrinkling and discoloration to spine, some slight corner creasing. Laid in is a slip that says "Additional copies may be secured at the price of sixty cents"--a good deal! Carson finishes her letter with "I do hope the book is still obtainable, and that you will let me know how I may go about getting one for my library." Very good. Item #1170
Price: $150.00 save 5% $142.50